Device to prevent injuries

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for preventing injuries during weight training with free weights. The device for preventing injuries includes at least one weight hoisting unit which is controllable by means of at least one pedal. Preferably, the device for preventing injuries may include an adjustable seat with an adjustable backrest, which is placed between two symmetrically disposed weight hoisting units.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from Polish patent application Serial No. P-408062, filed Apr. 29, 2014, entitled “Device to prevent injuries”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for preventing injuries, used during weight training with free weights (dumbbells, barbells), in sport/fitness gyms or rehabilitation centres. The essence of this invention is the use of external energy for passing the weight to the exercising person.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Different devices and instruments used for weight training are well known in the art. For example, the strength training devices, disclosed in PL 323170 (A1), which are used at the sport/fitness gyms or rehabilitation centres may include a base, consisting of horizontal beams, that is combined with a diagonal beam and at least two supports, where package weights are being arranged parallel to the beam on top a frame. Further, a knot for fixing a drive mechanism is located on the diagonal beam. Package weights together with the frame are protected with a cover, which is preferably fixed to the frame. This design of strength training devices may be used with different workout stations and driving mechanism configurations.

Other known strength training devices may consist of weight stacks that run using a drive of rope and pulley systems. On the other hand, other known devices may include a base having an attached seat with adjustable backrest and instruments in the form of various kinds of rack sets and benches, where racks are designed for training with barbells, and the benches including the free-standing ones for exercising with dumbbells, abdominal exercises etc., making it easy to perform strength training with free weights.

It should be noted that, to achieve rapid progress in the development of strength and muscle mass, free weights workout is necessary. However, it is equally important that the strength training exercises to be performed correctly. For this, the exercising person must find the optimal weight guiding path, which will give him the natural rotation of the joints, the maximum muscle tension and stretch and the corresponding development of stabilizing muscles. Weight guiding path depends on the anatomy of each exercising person and it will be proper only when using free weights, since the machines are forcing a certain movement on the exercising persons.

In order to do strength training exercise, free weights (barbells, dumbbells) are placed on a rack, which is positioned in close proximity to the seat of the exercising person. To begin the exercise, the exercising person must first reach the free weight, grab it appropriately, pull it towards himself and lift it, and then, properly lay the body on the seat. The exercising person may ask other people for assistance. Such assistance may especially take places in the case of beginners, and in the case of exercising with a sufficiently large load or a sufficiently large number of repetitions. In addition, for interrupting or finishing the exercise, the exercising person has to throw back or put the free weight back on the rack or ask somebody for assistance.

To use the already known devices properly, the exercising person must exercise extreme caution and have the appropriate knowledge and experience, because the incorrect reach, grip, shrug, lift, and throwing back of the free weight, as well as the body positioning during the start and the end of each exercise may cause injury that can even threaten the life of the exercising person. Therefore, it is possible to ask other people for assistance, however, the assisting person may drop the weight while passing it, as the drip used in this free weight was not convenient. Moreover, the assisting persons may pass the weight to the exercising person unevenly, resulting in the loss of his balance and, consequently, leading to injury.

Moreover, due to a dangerous posture, adopted when passing the weight, the assisting person may be exposed to a back injury as well. Furthermore, after finishing the exercises, putting the weight away may also be difficult, and therefore, the free weight can be thrown on the floor, which creates additional risks for the health of the exercising person and other bystanders.

The present invention is proposed in view of the above aforementioned problems. The present invention provides an apparatus for preventing injuries that eliminates any inconveniences, allowing for a safe and convenient passing of the weight, secure assistance during exercises, and comfortable reception of the weight after their completion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the device may primarily serve athletes in all sports during recovery period, while aiming to return to their old forms as soon as possible, without the risk of injury. It should be noted that, currently, in most sports, strength training is used, and free weights workout are best known for developing strength, muscle mass, dynamics, and muscle strength.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for preventing injuries during weight training with free weights. The device includes at least one weight hoisting unit controllable by means of at least one pedal. Preferably, the at least one weight hoisting unit and/or the at least one control pedal is mounted on a base.

In the preferred embodiment, the device further includes a seat, which is preferably adjustable. Accordingly, the seat may include preferably an adjustable backrest.

In this embodiment, the seat is placed between two symmetrically disposed weight hoisting units, which are preferably mounted on the base.

Preferably, at least one weight hoisting unit may include a linear weight hoisting actuator, a guide mounted on hinges, and a weight holder.

Preferably, the at least one weight hoisting unit further includes a tilt actuator.

Preferably, the hoisting actuator and/or tilt actuator is an electric or hydraulic or pneumatic or electromagnetic actuator.

Preferably, the device comprises an electrical box, preferably with an “on/off” button and/or “stop” button.

Preferably, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device for preventing injuries further includes: two weight hoisting units controllable by means of two pedals, wherein each weight hoisting unit comprises a linear weight hoisting actuator, a guide mounted on the hinges, a weight holder and a tilt actuator; a seat, preferably adjustable, comprising a backrest, preferably adjustable, wherein the seat is placed between the two symmetrically disposed weight hoisting units; an electrical box having an “on/off” button and/or a “stop” button, and a base on which the weight hoisting units, the pedals, and the seat are mounted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described in conjunction with the appended figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device for preventing injuries.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a device for preventing injuries.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferred exemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment(s) of the disclosure. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

With reference to FIG. 1, the device for preventing injuries, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes an adjustable seat 2, having an adjustable backrest 3, which is disposed on a base 1. As shown in this figure, two weight hoisting units are arranged on both sides of the seat 2. Each of the two weight hoisting units consist of a hoisting actuator 4, guides 5, a weight holder 6 mounted on hinges 9 and tilted with an actuator 10. The two weight hoisting units hoist and guide, through tilting approach, the exercising person and stabilize the weight. The exercising person controls the movement of the unit by means of control pedals 7 and 8, which allow the control of both electrically powered hoisting units. The control pedals 7 and 8 are in metal casing with electrical contacts mounted thereupon, such that pressing them actuates the functions of “up”—after pressing pedal 7 and “down”—after pressing pedal 8.

After pressing the pedal 7, e.g., “up”, weights are hoisted to full height, using the hoisting actuators 4. In the next step, the weight hoisting units 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 mounted on hinges 9, are tilted inwardly with the tilt actuators 10 towards the exercising person. After lifting the weights from the weight holder 6 and pressing the pedal 8, e.g., “down”, the weight hoisting units 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 are titled outwardly with the actuators 9 from the exercising person. After reaching the extreme outer position, the hoisting actuators 4 are actuated and the weight hoisting units 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 are lowered toward their lower position. Releasing the pressure on the pedal or pressing both pedals immediately stops all machine movements. Additionally, there is a “stop” button 13 on the electrical box 11, which after being pressed immobilizes the device.

The weight hoisting units 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 are linear electric actuators consisting of the hoisting actuators 4 and the tilt actuators 10. The hoisting actuators 4 and the tilt actuators 10 are helical gears driven by electric motors (not shown in the figures) and their movement being initiated by a driver by means of the pedals 7 and 8. Tilt actuators 10 are smaller than the hoisting actuators 4, due to lower demand for speed and strength. The tilt actuators 10 and the hoisting actuators 4 are served by the same driver, thereby, synchronizing their joint action.

Before exercising is started, the exercising person alone or with the help of a second person puts the weights on the weight holders 6, being in a lower position. After taking a seated position and adjusting the position of the seat 2 and backrest 3, using the control pedals 7 and 8, the exercising person adopts a weight position comfortable to start exercising. At the time of exercising, the weight hoisting units 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 can be tilted and lowered, or remain slightly raised after tilting for belay. When finished exercising, the exercising person puts or thrown back the weights on the raised or lowered weight holders 6 that are secured with appropriate impact-cushioning material.

In an alternative embodiment, the exercising person may control the movement of the unit by means of the control pedals 7 and 8, allowing the control of both hydraulically powered hoisting units.

The solution based on pneumatic drives involves the use of hoisting units of pneumatic actuators, to which air is supplied from an electrical compressor located at the base of the device. In this embodiment, the air can also be supplied from an external installation, if available. Unit movements are initiated through the driver, using pedals 7 and 8. The actuators tilting the hoisting units operate on the same principle, but they are much smaller due to lower demand for speed and strength. The actuators are operated by the same drive synchronizing their actions with the actuators driving the weight hoisting units 4, 5, 6, 9, 10.

Devices for preventing injuries, according to the embodiments of the present invention, may be used at sport/fitness gyms and/or rehabilitation centres for safe and comfortable training with free weights—barbells and dumbbells. Additionally, these devices may not only serve athletes practising strength athletics, but also practising track and field, basketball, volleyball, rugby, American football and so on. Moreover, these devices may help athletes quickly gain the intended physical fitness without compromising on health and athletes—convalescents, who succumbed to injuries and want to regain its fitness without the risk of further injury.

Embodiments of the present invention are not restricted to the preferred embodiment described above, but changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the device for preventing injuries may comprise one, two, or more weight hoisting units 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 controllable by means of one, two or more pedals 7, 8.

Regardless of the number of weight hoisting units 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and pedals 7, 8, the device for preventing injuries may include the seat 2. Said seat 2 may be adjustable and/or may include a backrest 3. The backrest 3 may also be adjustable. In case of at least two weight hoisting units 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, said seat 2 may be placed between the two symmetrically disposed weight hoisting units 4, 5, 6, 9, 10.

Regardless of the other features of the device for preventing injuries, the weight hoisting unit(s) 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 may include the linear weight hoisting actuator 4, the guides 5 mounted on the hinges 9, the weight holder 6 and/or the tilt actuator 10. Said hoisting actuator 4 and/or said tilt actuator 10 may be an electric or hydraulic or pneumatic or electromagnetic actuator.

Regardless of the other features, said device may comprise the electrical box 11, preferably with an “on/off” 12 and/or the “stop” button 13.

Regardless of the other features, said device for preventing injuries may include the base 1 on which the weight hoisting unit(s) 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and/or the pedal(s) 7,8, and/or the seat 2, and/or electrical the box 11 may be mounted.

While the principles of the disclosure have been described above in connection with specific apparatuses, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as limitation on the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for preventing injuries during weight training with free weights, the device comprises at least one weight hoisting unit controllable by means of at least one pedal.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one weight hoisting unit and/or the at least one control pedal is mounted on a base.
 3. The device according to claim 1 further comprises a seat.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the seat is adjustable with respect to the base.
 5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the seat comprises a backrest.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the backrest is adjustable with respect to the seat.
 7. The device according to claim 3, wherein the seat is placed between two symmetrically disposed weight hoisting units.
 8. The device according to claim 3, wherein the seat is mounted on the base.
 9. The device according to claim 3, wherein the seat is mounted on the base at a position located between two symmetrically disposed weight hoisting units.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one weight hoisting unit comprises a linear weight hoisting actuator, a guide mounted on hinges, and a weight holder.
 11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one weight hoisting unit comprises a linear weight hoisting actuator, a guide mounted on the hinges, and a weight holder.
 12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the hoisting actuator is an electric or hydraulic or pneumatic or electromagnetic actuator.
 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one weight hoisting unit comprises a tilt actuator.
 14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one weight hoisting unit comprises a tilt actuator.
 15. The device according to claim 13, wherein the tilt actuator is an electric or hydraulic or pneumatic or electromagnetic actuator.
 16. The device according to claim 1 further comprises an electrical box having an “on/off” button and/or a “stop” button.
 17. The device according to claim 12 further comprises an electrical box having an “on/off” button and/or a “stop” button.
 18. The device according to claim 1 further comprises: two weight hoisting units controllable by means of two pedals, wherein each of the two weight hoisting unit comprises a linear weight hoisting actuator, a guide mounted on hinges, a weight holder, and a tilt actuator; a seat, preferably adjustable, comprising a backrest, preferably adjustable, wherein the seat is placed between the two symmetrically disposed weight hoisting units; an electrical box having an “on/off” button and/or a “stop” button; and a base on which the weight hoisting units, the pedals, and the seat are mounted. 